Branch Circuit Monitoring in Data Centers
Steve Popple
October 23, 2009
Where does branch Circuit monitoring occur?
Within the Datacenter’s PDU or RPP
Data center schematic,
showing overview of
power distribution
components.
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Powerlogic Branch Circuit Power Meter (BCPM)
The BCPM monitors a
complete power distribution
unit (PDU)
● CT strips monitor the
circuits
● Monitor 84 circuits with a
single BCPM
● Auxiliary inputs monitor the
mains
● Two sets of inputs for four
auxiliary CTs (3-phase
plus neutral) per BCPM
● Auxiliary 1/3 V CTs
ordered seperately
through your local sales
representative
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BCPM Applications
Designed for data centers and critical power operations
The BCPM provides data center managers with information that allows them to:
1. Maximize uptime and avoid outages
●
Full alarming on every circuit warns of an issue before a breaker trip occurs
2. Efficiently use existing infrastructure
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View circuit loading and redistribute to maximize efficiency
3. Effectively plan future infrastructure needs
●
Use historical reports to accurately predict future needs
4. Simply and easily allocate costs
●
Track usage patterns to determine areas of potential savings
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BCPM Features and Benefits
The new BCPM offers:
● Low cost per meter point
● Monitor 84 circuits with a single BCPM
● Flexible installation options
● ¾” and 1” CT spacing available
● Multiple strip configurations supported: Inline, Top feed, bottom feed
● Cost effective communications – Modbus over RS485
● Easily integrates into existing network
● High accuracy and dynamic range
● Accurate at low current values, down to ¼ A
● Three feature sets, to meet your specific needs
● Basic – Current only in the circuits and mains
● Intermediate – Current in the circuits, power and energy in the mains
● Advanced – Power and energy in the circuits and mains
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BCPM Features and Benefits
Advanced alarming capabilities
● Multiple alarm levels, to protect your system
● Low-low, low, high, high-high
● Multiple alarm levels provide a warning of potential issues and allow
operators to respond proactively
● User defined alarm set-points
● Alarms are both instantaneous and latching
● Alarm counters ensure valuable historical data is maintained and
potential problem areas are tracked
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BCPM – Feature Set Details
BCPM
The BCPM is
available in 3 feature
sets:
Advanced (Option A)
features power and
energy calculations on
every circuit
Intermediate (Option
B) includes power and
energy on the mains,
and current only on
the branch circuits
Basic (Option C)
measures power only
on every circuit
Advanced
Intermediate
Basic
Current
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Present and max current demand
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Max current

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Power

Present and max demand

Energy

Power factor

Circuit metering (measurements per circuit)
Mains metering (measurements per mains)
Current, per phase

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Max current, per phase
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Present and max current demand, per phase
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Power per phase
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Energy per phase

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Power Factor, total and per phase

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Voltage, line to line and average L-L

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Voltage, line to neutral and average L-N

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Frequency (Phase A)


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BCPM – Split Core
In Development
Designed for retrofit applications
● 50 A and 100 A split core CTs
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BCPM – Software Support
● Supported in ION Enterprise
● Monitor all branch circuits and incoming mains for alarms
● Adjust alarm set points a
● View real time values – current, power, power factor
● Log demand and energy values
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